Polaris
Stories from Payload’s weekly space policy newsletter, Polaris.
Public Asks Congress To Save VIPER
More than 2,000 supporters ranging from engineers to space enthusiasts signed a letter last week led by the Planetary Society asking lawmakers to add the program back into NASA’s budget.
Space Policy in a Second Trump Term
The Trump administration’s top priority, according to Autry, is likely to be “kicking Artemis into high gear” and ensuring Artemis III—the first crewed mission to the lunar surface since Apollo—remains on track to avoid getting beaten by the Chinese.
House To Consider NASA Reauthorization Act
“It’s been far too long since the last comprehensive NASA authorization and we’re overdue for Congressional guidance and direction,” Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK), the chair of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, told Payload in a statement, adding that his top priorities in the markup include the Moon to Mars pipeline, operations in LEO after the ISS, and balancing the science portfolio.
Report Highlights Space Force’s Long-Term Research Gap
The Space Force should boost its use of venture capital funding to have more influence over where private entities are focusing their science and tech investments, according to a RAND report.
NOAA Gives HEO’s Holmes a Thumbs Up
It marks the first time NOAA has approved a hosted payload—a milestone that could open the door for other companies to seek approval from the agency for platforms that can hitch a ride aboard satellites manufactured by other entities.
House Approves NDAA With Cislunar, VLEO Proposals Added
The House passed the fiscal 2025 defense policy bill last week, but not before adding a few space-focused updates during debate on the floor.
Preserving History On the Moon—and Beyond
Surrounded by the relics of space exploration, officials met at the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center last week to discuss how to preserve the history of humankind’s farthest incursions into the cosmos 239,000 miles away.
Meet Lithuania, the 40th Artemis Accords Signatory
“For us, it’s very important to become a part of international cooperation platforms and international initiatives,” Neringa Morozaitė-Rasmussen, Lithuania’s vice-minister of the economy and innovation, told Payload. “We see it as an important agreement that…emphasizes peaceful exploration, which is the essence for us.”
Lawmakers Agree To Investigate Russian ASAT Intel Leak
The rare public back-and-forth between Congress and the White House that led to the reveal of Russia’s nuclear ASAT plans is getting a review under an amendment to the NDAA introduced by Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA).
Space Authorization, Approps Bills Before Congress This Week
It’s a big week on Capitol Hill this week for considering fiscal 2025 funding and priorities in the space realm.
An Exit Interview with DoD Space Policy Chief John Plumb
As the Pentagon’s space policy chief John Plumb prepares to leave office, his departing message is simple: don’t destroy space.
Russia Defends Veto of Nuclear Weapon Ban in Orbit at UN
Russia went toe to toe with the rest of the world on Monday at the UN General Assembly, where officials overwhelmingly condemned Moscow’s veto last month of a measure reaffirming that nuclear weapons would not be placed in orbit.
